Distribution.

Occurs throughout Asia Minor, Iran, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Italy. Cultivated and wild in the Crimea (occasionally wild), the Caucasus (occasionally wild) and Central Asia (wild plants occur in Pamir-Altai-Hissar, Vakhsh and Darvaz Ranges, and Kopet Dagh (Sumbara river basin)). Originated in Iran and Afghanistan.

Ecology.

Mesophyte. Shade-enduring and drought-resistant. Grows in rich soils but tolerates poor soils. Occurs on stony or turfy slopes and along river valleys in the lower and middle mountain zones.

Utilization and economic value.

Food, industrial, ornamental and medicinal plant. Fruits are edible, consumed fresh, and used to make jams, confectionaries and stewed fruit. Leaves are used as feed for silkworms, but this results in coarser silk than when worms are fed white mulberry. Wood is very hard and good for woodcraft. Bast is used to produce cardboard, paper and rope.